By:

BALTIMORE -- Before the Red Sox began their last regular-season series here Friday night, manager John Farrell outlined three goals for the final three games.

"Resting guys, taking a look at guys and trying to win a series," Farrell said.

Check. Check. And check.

Oh, and while they were at it, the Red Sox made a little history, too.

Consider everything that happened along the way to a 12-3 thumping of the Orioles that moved the Sox to the verge of clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs:

--While right fielder Shane Victorino received a one-night respite for his multiple nagging injuries, slugging first baseman Mike Napoli returned after a week-long break for his balky left foot and promptly lined an RBI double in a five-run first inning.

--Jacoby Ellsbury played, too, marking his second consecutive game after missing three weeks with a right foot fracture. And although he was the only starter without a hit, there was a benefit to him getting four more at-bats and playing six innings in center field.

--David Ortiz belted his 30th homer, a three-run shot in the eighth inning against Orioles lefty reliever Mike Belfiore, a Boston College product who was making his major league debut. Ortiz is only the second Red Sox player to have seven 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons, joining none other than Ted Williams.

--Jarrod Saltalamacchia notched his 40th double, eclipsing Carlton Fisk in 1978 and Jason Varitek in 1999 for the most in a single season by a Red Sox catcher.

And when they were through, the Red Sox needed only a loss by the Oakland Athletics in a late game against the Los Angeles Angels to wrap up the American League’s best record.

Clay Buchholz wasn't particularly sharp in his fourth start back from a three-month layoff because of a shoulder injury, but even that seemed like a nitpicking criticism. Despite throwing more curveballs and fewer changeups than usual and giving up as many homers (two) as he had all season, he still completed seven innings and held the Orioles to three runs.

The Red Sox blitzed Orioles starter Scott Feldman by sending nine batters to the plate in a first inning punctuated by Daniel Nava's three-run homer. They led 5-0 after the first and 8-0 in the third en route to their 25th victory in the last 36 games.